The Testimony of the Bible Concerning the Assumptions of Destructive Criticism   By: S. E. Wishard

TESTIMONY OF THE BIBLE

CONCERNING THE

Assumptions of Destructive Criticism

BY

S.E. WISHARD, D.D.

LOS ANGELES, CAL.

JOHNSON & HANEY

BIBLE INSTITUTE PRESS

1909

Copyright, 1909

By S.E. WISHARD, D.D.

Presentation Copy

"In the defence and confirmation of the truth"

Phil 1:7

BIBLE INSTITUTE

Los Angeles, Calif.

FOREWORD.

This booklet is sent out To all Sabbath school teachers, To the young people of the Christian churches, And to all believers in the living Word .

The work of the destructive critics has been widely disseminated in current literature. Magazines, secular newspapers, and some religious papers are giving currency to these critical attacks on the Word of God. The young people of our churches are exposed to the insidious poison of this skepticism. It comes to them under the guise of a broader and more liberal scholarship. They have neither the time nor the equipment to enter the field of criticism, nor is this work demanded of them.

While abler pens are meeting and answering the questions raised by destructive critics, something may be said that will clear away the fog produced by them and enable young Christians to come directly to the truth.

Hence this booklet is an attempt to "give God a chance" to have his say. The testimony presented is on the divine plan of giving, "Precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line," "lest we forget."

There has been no attempt to cover the whole ground of destructive criticism in the brief compass of this booklet. It will be enough to permit God to answer; hence, in the following pages he speaks for himself. We are content that his voice shall be heard.

S.E. WISHARD.

CONTENTS

PAGE

I. OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD DESTRUCTIVE CRITICISM 9

II. SHOULD REPLY BE MADE? 17

III. WAS MOSES A LITERARY FICTION? 25

IV. WERE CHRIST AND THE APOSTLES MISTAKEN? 39

V. THE ATTACK ON THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS 59

VI. ASSUMPTIONS CONCERNING THE BOOK OF ISAIAH 73

VII. GOD'S REPLY TO THESE ASSUMPTIONS. 87

VIII. THE HISTORICITY OF THE BOOK OF JONAH 101

IX. RADICAL EXPOSITION 111

X. GOD HIS OWN INTERPRETER 119

I. OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD DESTRUCTIVE CRITICISM.

"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us." Eph. v. 1, 2.

"Be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves and to all men." 1 Thess. v. 14, 15.

"He that believeth shall not make haste." Isa. xxviii. 16.

"The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness." Psa. cxi. 7, 8.

"My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure." Isa, xlvi. 10.

The attitude which God's people should assume toward destructive criticism has been questioned. It should certainly be a position of calm patience, that can deliberately weigh valid testimony, and abide by the decision of intelligent judgment. The history and life of the Church for nearly two thousand years should go for something. They are not to be swept away by the bluff, the egoism of what claims to be the only "Expert Scholarship."